HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The Role of the Registered Nurse in the Management of Rheumatic Disease

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The registered nurse (RN) is to provide health care to individuals, families,
and communities. They provide services designed to promote health, prevent
illness, and achieve optimal recovery from or adaptation to health problems.

What
does a Registered Nurse do?

Assesses the patient
and family’s health status and needs: physical, emotional, and psychological.

Planning; serves as a
case manager to coordinate various aspects of care and maybe involved in
program planning at a local and national level for rheumatic diseases.

Implementation:
administers, monitors, and educates about medications/therapies. Provides
health teaching and health promotion and is an advocate for the patient and
family with the health care facility, the community, and legislative arena.
Conducts research to promote evidence-based practice.

Where does a Registered Nurse work?

Hospitals

Clinics

Home health

Nursing homes

What
kind of training does a Registered Nurse have?

Hospital-based
program with a diploma in nursing

Two-year
community college education with an associate degree in nursing.

Four-year
college education with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

All
registered nurses are licensed in the state they practice.

The
rheumatology RN has specialized and knowledge and expertise in the care of
persons with rheumatic diseases.

To Find a Rheumatologist or Rheumatology Health ProfessionalFor a listing of
rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals in your area, click here.

For More Information: contact the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals at
(404) 633-3777 or arhp@rheumatology.org.

Updated March 2014, ARHP Practice Committee

This patient fact sheet is provided for general education only.
Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional
medical advice, diagnoses and treatment of a medical or health condition.